SAGE Paid Internship

Office of Sustainability and Facilities Services, Chicago, IL
Position: Sustainability Program Intern

Organization Description:
The University of Chicago recently established an Office of Sustainability, charged with making all aspects of the university’s operations more environmentally sustainable. Since its inception in November 2008, the program has established an ambitious work plan to mitigate the University’s footprint, raise the visibility of sustainability issues on campus, set benchmarks and measure outcomes, advance intellectual debate and analysis on topical environmental issues, and engage the local community.

Internship Description:
The Office of Sustainability intern has a great opportunity to help implement many aspects of the work plan relating to SAGE – Sustainable Actions for a Greener Environment, the University’s green leadership program that brings dedicated individuals together to learn more about environmental initiatives on campus and encourage their peers to make sustainable actions a part of their daily lives. He or she will manage several projects and work closely with the Director and Program Coordinator. The intern should have excellent research and writing skills, and attention to detail. In addition, the intern should have a broad understanding of sustainability principles and potential for application of these principles on campus.
Projects the intern will work on may include:

• Research on a variety of environmental issues such as energy and food and develop corresponding resource materials for SAGE Ambassadors
• Plan Spring 2011 social/luncheon for SAGE Ambassadors
• Assist with student trainings and coordinate Ambassador projects with other groups on campus
• Write articles/content for the newsletter, website, and blog
• Other projects as assigned
  

The intern will gain broad experience in project management, communications (particularly around behavior change), and the opportunity to help ramp up an exciting, new program on campus.

Other duties may include: attending meetings and strategy sessions, providing updates to the website, and contacting stakeholders on campus regarding the various programs.

Additional Intern Qualifications:

• Excellent writing and communication skills are required as well as the ability to work independently
• A quick study; must be able to get up-to-speed very quickly
• Good organizational skills and excellent attention to detail required
• Ability to follow projects through to completion
• Must be able to make independent decisions and must be flexible and adaptable; ability to take initiative
• Must also be a team player and able to work effectively with several constituencies, including University staff, students, and faculty